Method of forming a foundation structure for bridges, piers, docks, sea walls, and the like



Jan. 24, 1939. v. SCHIAVI 2,144,939

METHOD OF FORMING A FOUNDATION STRUCTURE FOR BRIDGES,

PIERS, DOCKS, SEA WALLS, AND THE LIKE Filed March 51, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 24, 1939. v. SCHIAVI Y 2,144,939

METHOD OF FORMING A FOUNDATION STRUCTURE FOR BRIDGES,

PIERS, DOCKS, SEA WALLS, AND THE LIKE Filed March 31, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W/V/ I Fake/2Z1) Mz'm/a 1m 24, 19390 y H W 2,144,939

METHOD OF MING A F UNDA'FION STRU'JTU. FOR BRIDGES,

P S DUCKS, SEA WALLS, AND E LIKE Filed March 31; 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 7226612! daiz'm z Patented Jan. 24, 1939 UNITED' STATES METHOD OF FORIVIING A FOUNDATION STRUCTURE. FOR BRIDGES, PIERS, DOCKS, SEA WALLS, AND THE LIKE Vincent Schiavi, Wilmington, Del.

Application March 31, 1938, Serial No. 199,222

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to a foundation structure for bridges, piers, docks, sea walls and the like, and more particularly to a new, novel and improved method for constructing semi-monolithic foundations for use with the above mentioned constructions.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a method of forming a foundation construction consisting of preformed slabs of concrete or other suitable material having depending aprons or side walls, which slabs are adapted to be placed upon bearing pilings provided with a cap placed or poured thereon. 7

Still another aim of the invention is the formation of a semi-monolithic construction for use with foundations, which may be piling, caissons or concrete poured on bed rock, which construction will have an appearance and which will be equal in strength to a monolithic structure.

Other aims and objects will be apparent from the detailed description hereinafter appearing, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings forming a part hereof, to which reference is now made and in which:--

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a foundation consisting of piling, upon which a concrete base has been placed or poured thereon, and showing the preformed slabs in place.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the construction of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing how the preformed slabs are secured or locked to one another.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention employing a bulkhead construction.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view, partly broken away, and partly in section of the form of invention shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 11 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of still another modified form of the invention especially adapted for use in beach protection.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of yet a further modified form of the invention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the reference character S designates solid ground into which have been driven piling P. The piling is driven down into the ground S to the point of refusal of the piling. As shown, the piling P may be reinforced with metallic U-shaped braces B and with angle irons A. The low water level is designated by reference character W. It will be understood that the piling P forming the foundation may be replaced by a caisson, or if desired, concrete may be poured on bed rock if the conditions are favorable for this type of construction. In other words, the foundation may take various forms, depending upon conditions, and does not constitute any 5 material part of this invention.

The piling P, or other foundation construction, is provided with an upper wooden deck 10 or the like, upon which a base H is either cast in place or poured thereon. As will be seen by an inspec- 10 tion of Figs. 1 and 2; the base II is provided with spaced openings I2 therein, substantially centrally thereof. Supported upon the base II are precast slabs 13 of concrete or other material. It will be noted that these slabs when operatively 15 positioned have a shape substantially resembling an inverted U. The horizontal portions I4 of the inverted U-shaped slabs rest on the upper surface of the base ll, while the vertical portions l5 of the inverted U-shaped slabs constitute aprons passing beneath the surface of the water W and into the ground S. The aprons l5 of the slabs I3 shield both sides of the piling P covering the same. As will be apparent by an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4, the slabs l3 are united to each other by means of interlocking slots and protuberances it on the front and rear faces thereof. The horizontal portions M of the slabs l3 have openings I l substantially in alignment with the openings [2 in the base I I. After the precast slabs have been positioned upon the base H, a superstructure ll of concrete or the like may be built, said superstructure having a downwardly projecting portion l8 formed by filling the openings l2 in the base II and the openings l4 formed in the horizontal portions M of the precast slabs l3. The superstructure Il, the horizontal portions IA of the slabs l3, and the base H may be provided with reinforcing elements l9 which may take various shapes and forms and, as these form no material part of the invention, no further description thereof is deemed necessary. As an alternative method of construction, before the superstructure I1 is built, the water W may be pumped out intermediate the opposed aprons l5 of the slabs I3 surrounding the piling P and concrete poured through the openings l2 in the base H to completely cover the piling P and fill up the space formed by the aprons. As will be understood this will form a solid foundation.

From the above description it will be apparent that the aprons or side walls l5 add considerably to the strength of the foundation, and it will also be appreciated that the cost of construction is materially reduced. The precast slabs l3 may be constructed while the piling P is being placed. Also, if desired, the superstructure I! may in a large part be precast, also saving considerable time. Furthermore, the use of cofierdams is eliminated and no allowance need be made for the existing location, because of water or below water hazards or land, or below land surface hazards. The aprons of the precast slabs can be constructed so as to be used in strengthening or dressing up existing structures.

It will also be appreciated that considerable costs for insurance are obviated; costs of bracing in cofferdams eliminated; as well as the high costs which usually accompany methods of construction where men are compelled to work in cramped quarters, such as between cofferdams, bracings therein and the like. Then again the possibilities of injuries to workmen are lessened and also the dangers attending cramped working quarters and possible collapse of cofferdams.

Finally, due to'the fact that the slabs I3 are precast, facings of any suitable material can be incorporated on the outer surface of the aprons l5, which surfaces may be formed of metal, marble, granite, in whole or in part. Mottled effects may be produced with various colored stones or ordinary quarried stone can be matched before placement. Also in some instances no superstructure is desirable and the horizontal portion M of the slabs [3 can be finished in any suitable manner to give the desired appearance and strength. The invention, in addition, lends itself to a cessation of construction at any point or time of day without injury or loss or damage to the work already in place, which characteristic is lacking in large part with present day constructions.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, showing a modified form of the invention, it will be noted that only one side of the piling P is covered. with a depending apron I5 of the inverted L-shaped precast slab l3 The other side of the piling P is not covered, the precast slab l3 having no depending apron on that side. The construction just described is of particular value in bulkheads and beach protection.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 8 the apron 24 of one of the precast slabs I3 extends at an angle to the upper surface of the horizontal portion l4 and deep into the ground S. It will also be noted that in this arrangement no superstructure I1 is provided. This constructional form is valuable in beach protection.

Fig. 9 is the modified form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 5, but showing the use of metal sheeting 50 projecting downwardly from the outer edge of base II. This sheeting is optional and is to be used only when required to prevent erosion of existing sub soil or back filled material. It is further understood that wood or steel sheeting 50 may be used on any form of the invention, if desired, in order to prevent soil erosion.

In summation, it will be apparent that while a major part of the completed sub-structure is below water, all the necessary labor to construct same is performed above water.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that there has been disclosed a sub-structure for bridges, piers, docks, sea walls and the like, well adapted for their intended functions, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Various other changes and modifications may be made to embody the spirit and purpose of the'invention, and it is contemplated to cover such variations and to be limited in this respect only as may be necessary by the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

The method of forming a foundation structure for bridges, piers, docks, sea walls and the like which comprises driving piling having an upper deck into a bed of water, casting an apertured base on said deck, placing apertured interlocked precast inverted U-shaped slabs on said base providing aprons for said piling extending into said bed of water, the apertures in said inverted U- shaped slabs and said base being aligned, and casting a superstructure on said inverted U- shaped slabs and interlocking said superstructure with said base through said aligned apertures.

VINCENT SCHIAVI. 

